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Aaron Aunins, Ph.D.

Aaron is a Research Fish Biologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Kearneysville, WV. 

Aaron Aunins obtained his Ph.D. in Integrative Life Sciences from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2011, where he studied the population genetics of American shad in Chesapeake Bay. He began working at the USGS Leetown Science Center in 2012. Aaron’s research interests are very broad – he has worked on conservation genetic studies of many diverse taxa including brook trout, shortnose sturgeon, Atlantic sturgeon, and Northeastern Beach tiger beetles among others. More recently, he has been focused on environmental DNA (eDNA) studies and has worked on eDNA metabarcoding of stream communities in National Capital Region Parks, using eDNA metabarcoding to characterize deep sea communities along the mid-Atlantic U.S. coast, and optimizing methods for detection of pollinators from eDNA left on flowers.  

Professional Experience

  • 2019 to present – Research Fish Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Leetown Science Center, Kearneysville, West Virginia

  • 2016 to 2019 – Scientist II (Contractor), Natural Systems Analysts, Winter Park Florida, work location at U.S. Geological Survey, Kearneysville, West Virginia

  • 2014-2016 – Genetics Biologist (Contractor), Cherokee Nation Technology Solutions, Tulsa OK, work location at U.S. Geological Survey, Kearneysville, West Virginia

Education and Certifications

  • 2011. PhD. in Integrative Life Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University.

  • 2006. M.S. in Marine Science, Virginia Institute of Marine Science of the College of William and Mary

  • 2001. B.A. in Biology, University of Richmond

Science and Products

Genetic and morphological characterization of the freshwater mussel clubshell species complex (Pleurobema clava and Pleurobema oviforme) to inform conservation planning

The shell morphologies of the freshwater mussel species Pleurobema clava (federally endangered) and Pleurobema oviforme (species of concern) are similar, causing considerable taxonomic confusion between the two species over the last 100 years. While P. clava was historically widespread throughout the Ohio River basin and tributaries to the lower Laurentian Great Lakes, P. oviforme was confined to
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Development of a ddPCR assay for the detection of the Smoky Madtom (Noturus baileyi) from eDNA in stream water samples

The Smoky Madtom Noturus baileyi is a federally endangered species, whose native distribution includes lower Abrams Creek in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) and Citico Creek in nearby Cherokee National Forest. Due to challenges for bio-monitoring posed by its nocturnality and cryptic life history, an environmental DNA (eDNA)-based approach for detection would be useful to complement exi
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Population genetics of three at-risk tiger beetles Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsalis, H. d. media, and Ellipsoptera puritana

Many tiger beetles (Family Cicindelidae) are critically imperiled due to their dependence on small patches of suitable habitat that are frequently threatened by natural and anthropogenic disturbances. In the eastern United States, conservation of three tiger beetles - Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsalis, H. dorsalis media, and Ellipsoptera puritana - has been inhibited by the absence of population

Red Knot (Calidris canutus) research—Preliminary results and future opportunities

The Red Knot, Calidris canutus, is a highly migratory shorebird with a cosmopolitan distribution. Six subspecies have been identified, two of which occur regularly in North America (C.c. rufa and C.c. roselaari). Given their long-distance migrations through many jurisdictions and conservation status, tools are needed to reliably distinguish the subspecies when captured away from their breeding are
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Development of microsatellite markers for three at risk tiger beetles Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis, C. d. media, and C. puritana

ObjectiveTiger beetles inhabiting sandy beaches and cliffs along the east coast of the United States are facing increasing habitat loss due to erosion, urbanization, and sea level rise. The northeastern beach tiger beetle Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis and Puritan tiger beetle Cicindela puritana are both listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, while the white beach tiger beetle
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

The complete maternal mitochondrial genome sequences of two imperiled North American freshwater mussels: Alasmidonta heterodon and Alasmidonta varicosa (Bivalvia: Unionoida: Unionidae)

The freshwater mussels Alasmidonta heterodon and A. varicosa historically inhabited rivers along the North American Atlantic coast from the Carolinas, U.S.A., to New Brunswick, CA. However, many populations have been extirpated, and A. heterodon is now federally listed in the U.S.A. as endangered, and both A. heterodon and A. varicosa are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. To facilitate ge
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

The complete mitochondrial genome of the stalk-forming diatom Didymosphenia geminata

The complete mitogenome of the stalk-forming diatom Didymosphenia geminata collected from Mineral County, WV, USA was sequenced on the Ion Torrent PGM and Proton sequencers. The D. geminata mitogenome is 37,765 bp and encodes 35 protein coding genes, 25 tRNAs, and both large and small subunit ribosomal RNA genes. The nad11 gene is split into two domains as observed in Phaeodactylum tricornutum, an
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Microsatellite marker development from next-generation sequencing in the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) and cross-amplification in the eastern cottontail (S. floridanus)

ObjectiveThe New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) is a species of high conservation priority in the Northeastern United States, and was a candidate for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act until a recent decision determined that conservation actions were sufficient to preclude listing. The aim of this study was to develop a suite of microsatellite loci to guide future res
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Draft genome sequence of a picorna-like virus associated with gill tissue in clinically normal brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis

Here, we report a draft genome sequence of a picorna-like virus associated with brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, gill tissue. The draft genome comprises 8,681 nucleotides, excluding the poly(A) tract, and contains two open reading frames. It is most similar to picorna-like viruses that infect invertebrates.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Comparative mitogenomic analyses of three North American stygobiont amphipods of the genus Stygobromus (Crustacea: Amphipoda)

The mitochondrial genomes of three North American stygobiont amphipods Stygobromus tenuis potomacus, S. foliatus and S. indentatus collected from Caroline County, VA, were sequenced using a shotgun sequencing approach on an Illumina NextSeq500 (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA). All three mitogenomes displayed 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs and two rRNAs typical of metazoans. While S. tenuis and S.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

River mainstem thermal regimes influence population structuring within an Appalachian brook trout population

Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) often exist as highly differentiated populations, even at small spatial scales, due either to natural or anthropogenic sources of isolation and low rates of dispersal. In this study, we used molecular approaches to describe the unique population structure of brook trout inhabiting the Shavers Fork watershed, located in eastern West Virginia, and contrast it to n
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Cooperative Research Units

A nuclear DNA perspective on delineating evolutionarily significant lineages in polyploids: the case of the endangered shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum)

The shortnose sturgeon, Acipenser brevirostrum, oft considered a phylogenetic relic, is listed as an “endangered species threatened with extinction” in the US and “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. Effective conservation of A. brevirostrum depends on understanding its diversity and evolutionary processes, yet challenges associated with the polyploid nature of its nuclear genome have heretofore lim
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Fisheries Program (unpublished), Eastern Ecological Science Center
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Adult island marble butterfly

Conservation Genetics and Genomics of the Narrowly Endemic Island Marble Butterfly Euchloe ausonides insulanus

The island marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides insulanus) was first discovered on Vancouver Island, Canada in 1861. Based on morphological characteristics, it has been described as a subspecies of Euchloe ausonides. After a collection was made in 1908 on Gabriola Island, Canada, the island marble was not seen again until 1998 on San Juan Island, Washington, USA. Recent surveys have determined that...
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center
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Conservation Genetics and Genomics of the Narrowly Endemic Island Marble Butterfly Euchloe ausonides insulanus

The island marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides insulanus) was first discovered on Vancouver Island, Canada in 1861. Based on morphological characteristics, it has been described as a subspecies of Euchloe ausonides. After a collection was made in 1908 on Gabriola Island, Canada, the island marble was not seen again until 1998 on San Juan Island, Washington, USA. Recent surveys have determined that...
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Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is a relatively new field of science that incorporates elements of biology and computer science together for the purpose of developing efficient and robust methods for the analyses and interpretation of large amounts of biological data, typically DNA or RNA sequence data.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center
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Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is a relatively new field of science that incorporates elements of biology and computer science together for the purpose of developing efficient and robust methods for the analyses and interpretation of large amounts of biological data, typically DNA or RNA sequence data.
Learn More

Population genetic data for three at-risk tiger beetles Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsalis, H. d. media, and Ellipsoptera puritana

This dataset includes microsatellite genotypes for 16 collections of tiger beetles (Ellipsoptera puritana) distributed in Connecticut and Maryland, United States and 44 collections of Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsalis and 14 collections of H. d. media distributed from Massachusetts to Florida, United States.
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Eastern Ecological Science Center

SARS-CoV-2 Data from National Wastewater Surveillance System Surge Capacity Sampling, September 2021

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is used to determine the consumption of, or exposure to, chemicals or pathogens in human populations, and is conducted by collecting representative samples of untreated wastewater (influent) to quantify pathogens shed in the population served by the sampled wastewater system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Department of Health an
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Eastern Ecological Science Center

Novel genetic resources for Clubshell freshwater mussels (Pleurobema clava, P. oviforme) for enhanced conservation

Here we provide public access to two mitochondrial DNA sequence alignments, multi-locus microsatellite DNA genotypes, morphometric measurements and details on all specimens utilized in Morrison et al., 2021 (In press).
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Eastern Ecological Science Center

Science and Products